With help from Santa, La Verne firefighters bring treats to residents on Christmas Day

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Children wave to Santa during the 92nd annual La Verne Fire Department’s annual candy delivery Monday morning. For the 92nd year the La Verne Fire Department, with the help of over 70 volunteers, carried out their annual Christmas morning candy delivery to the residents of La Verne Monday morning December 25, 2017. Approximately 11,000 bags of candy and peanuts were handed out to residents as fire trucks drove through all the neighborhoods of the city hand delivering items to both adults and children who came out of their homes, many still dressed in pajamas. (Photo by Will Lester-Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

LA VERNE >> In keeping with a long-standing Christmas Day tradition, La Verne firefighters, with the help of Santa Claus and dozens of volunteers, distributed thousands of bags of treats to children across the city Monday.

La Verne Fire Department personnel began crisscrossing the city at 7 a.m. to deliver nearly 11,000 bags filled with candy, peanuts and fruit.

The project requires significant planning and preparations but its all worthwhile, Mark Horine, La Verne Fire Department battalion chief and organizer of the distribution, said Saturday.

“When you start seeing the faces of all the kids,” he said, “that kind of puts it all into perspective.”

A volunteer dressed as Santa Claus prepares for the La Verne Fire departments 92nd annual candy delivery Monday morning.For the 92nd year the La Verne Fire Department, with the help of over 70 volunteers, carried out their annual Christmas morning candy delivery to the residents of La Verne Monday morning December 25, 2017. Approximately 11,000 bags of candy and peanuts were handed out to residents as fire trucks drove through all the neighborhoods of the city hand delivering items to both adults and children who came out of their homes, many still dressed in pajamas. (Photo by Will Lester-Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

The Christmas morning deliveries date back to 1925, according to the La Verne Fire Department’s Facebook page. Back then, firefighters delivered food to needy families on Christmas morning.

Decades later the custom has evolved into one in which children, along with some senior citizens and adults, also receive the packages. Seniors and long-time residents of the city who received the small bundles as children will be among those waiting for the firefighters to make their way down their streets, Horine said. Firefighters and volunteers gladly provide the packages to the adults.

About 50 to 60 volunteers usually assist in the distribution, Horine said.

Assembling the packages also involves volunteers. About 200 volunteers filled the small bags Thursday evening using five types of candy, 2,100 pounds of peanuts and nearly 11,000 apples, he said. Once assembled, the packages are set aside in preparation for Christmas Day.

Part of the funding for the annual project comes from the La Verne Fire Department’s budget but contributions made by members of the public throughout the year make the distribution possible, Horine said.